National Day turns into day of protests

PUBLIC CALL:Thousands gathered demanding the resignation of President Ma and to challenge the government on many issues, including citizen’s power

By Loa Iok-sin / Staff reporter

“Ma’s approval rating is now a little more than 9 percent, that means the people no longer trust him. Shouldn’t we take the power back from him?” Hu asked.

The crowd responded with a loud “yes.”

Later in the afternoon, the crowd moved to Liberty Square, where small forums were held to discuss various public issues.

Citizen 1985 said the rally drew 60,000 people, while police put the peak number at 10,000.

Separately, another group of protesters gathered outside the legislature, urging the government to hear the people’s call to abandon the controversial Fourth Nuclear Power Plant project, which the anti-nuclear activists said is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money and has been plagued by mishaps that could jeopardize public safety.